The Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Korea’s premier fundamental science analysis establishment that has been and not using a everlasting chief for roughly 18 months, has narrowed its presidential candidates to a few finalists.
The IBS Presidential Recommendation Committee introduced Wednesday that it has nominated Noh Jung-hye, professor emerita at Seoul National University; Shin Sung-chul, former president of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); and Chang Sukbok, director of the IBS Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations, as the ultimate three candidates.
Noh, a distinguished scholar in molecular microbiology, beforehand served because the sixth president of the National Research Foundation of Korea. She at present serves because the inaugural chairperson of the Korea Science and Technology Media Center and as an advisor to the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology.
Shin served as president of KAIST and because the founding and second president of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST). He can also be a number one knowledgeable in electron spin dynamics, a area utilized in next-generation reminiscence semiconductors and quantum expertise.
Chang is a world-renowned authority in catalytic chemistry. As a professor in KAIST’s Department of Chemistry, Chang has led the event of other feedstock applied sciences in preparation for the depletion of petrochemical uncooked supplies, contributing to innovation within the chemical business.
IBS, Korea’s flagship fundamental science analysis establishment, has confronted criticism over management vacuum since former President Noh Do-young’s time period expired in 2024. Noh prolonged his tenure by one yr and served till November final yr earlier than departing IBS. Kim Young-duk, director of the IBS Center for Underground Physics, at present serves as performing president. However, Kim lacks board member {qualifications} and can’t vote even when attending board conferences.
Once the IBS board confirms the three candidates, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Presidential Office will conduct vetting procedures to pick out the ultimate candidate. The president will appoint the brand new IBS president after finishing the Presidential Office’s personnel assessment. Industry observers count on the brand new president to be appointed by June.